Variable sized box form

ABSTRACT

A base pattern or form which may be selectively folded and locked together in such a manner as to provide a great variety of sizes for a box. A combination of variable fold and cut or trim lines with tab and slot arrangements which provide a multiplicity of sizes in both lateral and transverse directions and in height for boxes or packaging device.

United States Patent George W. Full 124 East 57th Place, Tulsa, Okla.74105 [21] Appl. No. 801.012

[22] Filed Feb. 20. 1969 [45 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 [72] Inventor 54]VARIABLE SIZED BOX FORM 1 Claim, 10 Drawlng Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 229134, 229/D1G. 3 [51 Ill. C1. 865d 5/22 [50] Field ofSearch 229/34. 34 B [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,988,259 6/1961 Callinicos 229/34 2,707,587 5/1955 Wittstein 229/342.037.839 4/1936 Wagenseller 1 229/33 1,270,642 6/1918 Martin 229/34Primary Examiner- Leonard Summer Attorney-William S. Dorman ABSTRACT: Abase pattern or form which may be selectively folded and locked togetherin such a manner as to provide a great variety of sizes for a box. Acombination of variable fold and cut or trim lines with tab and slotarrangements which provide a multiplicity of sizes in both lateral andtransverse directions and in height for boxes or packaging device.

PATENTEUAUGIOIHYI 3.598303 sum 2 [IF 2 GEORGE w, F z

M/VENTOR WM! ASLM ATTORNEY VARIABLE SIZED BOX FORM This inventionrelates to improvements in containers and more particularly but not byway of limitation to a base form or pattern which may be utilized in theconstruction of a box of multiple sizes.

In the packaging of goods it is usually necessary or desirable toprovide a particular size box or container for storing or holding theparticular goods to be packaged. For example, in a clothing store,department store, or the like, a great variety of sizes and shapes ofgoods are sold to customers. Generally it is desirable to package eachtype of goods in a box of a size for the convenience of the purchaser.As a result, the store normally maintains a stock of boxes of severaldifferent sizes, with an effort made to select the most convenient sizesfor the goods. Many of these boxes are premade and require a substantialstorage space. Other boxes of this type may be stored in a substantiallyflat condition but each box form or blank folds into only one size boxand thus, a multiple number of sizes of box forms must be maintained. Inaddition, individuals often need boxes for packing goods themselves,such as for a gift, or the like, and it is usually difficult to find abox of the desired size.

The present invention contemplates a novel master pattern which may befolded and locked into a great number of sizes according to the mostdesirable packaging device or container required. The master pattern isprovided with a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending lines orimpressions for facilitating folding and/or cutting for variouscombinations for forming boxes of substantially any desired size. Inaddition, similar spaced transversely extending lines or impressions areprovided as guides fcr folding or cutting of the pattern in thetransverse direction in accordance with the desired box size. Tabmembers and complementary slots are particularly positioned on themaster pattern in such a manner as to provide simple and efficient meansfor locking the folded portions of the box-in the proper position toprovide a sturdy and substantially rigid construction for the box. Thedimensions of the box in length, width, and height may be varied insubstantially any desired relationship to provide a great flexibility ofuse for each master pattern. Patterns for box bottoms and patterns forbox tops are of a generally similar construction with the general basedimension of the box top being slightly larger than the base dimensionsof the box bottom, whereby the top may be easily disposed on the bottom.In order to provide a great number of box sizes, it is necessary tomaintain a supply of-only one size master pattern for box bottoms andone size master pattern for box tops. Since each master pattern is aflat sheet for storing of great numbers of the pattern requiresrelatively little storage space.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a master patternwhich may be folded to provide a container of substantially any desiredsize.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel adjustablyfoldable box particularly designed for storage of great numbers thereofin a relatively small storage area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a master pat.- ternwhich may be folded and/or cut and locked in a variety of ways to form amultiplicity of box sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a master pattern forboxes which may be quickly and easily assembled to provide a box ofsubstantially any desired dimensions.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will hereinafter more fully appear in con: nection with adetailed description ofthe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a master pattern for a box embody. ing theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a master pattern in a partially foldedposition for forming a box of one size.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a further folded conditionfor a box.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the completed box resulting from theillustrations of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. 7

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a master pattern in an initial positionfor being assembled into a box of a differing size than FIG. 5 in afurther folded condition.

, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the completed box shown in FIGS. 5 and6.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 depicting another possible size box.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting the box of FIG. 8 in a furtherfolded condition.

FIG. l0 is a perspective view of the completed box shown in FIGS. 8 and9.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generallyindicates a master sheet or pattern of a substantially flatconfiguration which may be constructed from any suitable material, suchas a heavy cardboard, or the like. Whereas the pattern 10 may be eitherof a square or rectangular configuration, as desired, the particularrepresentation illustrated herein is rectangular with the opposite sideedges 12 and 14 extending throughout the length thereof and the oppositeside edges 16 and 18 extending along the width thereof.

A plurality of longitudinally extending lines such as the lines A,, B,and C, are suitably inscribed or impressed on the pattern 10 andextending throughout the length ofthe sheet 10 in spaced relationshipwith respect to each other and with respect to the side edge 12. Thelines A,, B, and C, may be printed on the surface of the sheet 10, maybe scored thereon in any well known manner, may be perforated in thesheet 10, or otherwise indicated for facilitating the handling of thesheet 10 during the use thereof. As particularly shown in FIG. 1, thelines A,, B, and C, are mutually parallel with the side edge 12 and eachdefines a fold line and/or out line for a purpose as will be hereinafterset forth. The lines A,. B, and C, may be spaced apart at substantiallyany interval. such as at spaced intervals of 1 inch, or the like, asdesired.

A plurality of similar lines A,,, B and C are provided on the sheet 10in spaced relationship with respect to the side edge 14 in such a manneras to provide a substantially mirror image of the lines A,, B, and C,and are utilized in a complementary manner with respect thereto as willbe hereinafter set forth.

A plurality of transversely extending lines such as the lines D,, E,. F,and. G, are suitably inscribed or impressed on the pattern 10 and extendthroughout the width of the sheet 10 in spaced relationship with respectto each other and with respect to the side edge 16. The lines D,, E,, F,and G, are generally similar to the lines A1 8,. and and may be printedon the surface of the sheet. 10, may be scored thereon in any well-knownmanner, may be perforated in the sheet 10, or otherwise indicated forfacilitating the handling of the sheet 10 during the use thereof. Thelines 1),, E,, F, and G, are mutually parallel and are parallel with theside edge 16 and each l ne defines a fold line and/or out line for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The lines D,. E,. F, and 6,may be spaced apart at substantially any interval, such as at spacedintervals on 1 inch, or the like. as desired. and are preferably spacedapart in such a, manner as to be compatible or complementary to hespacing betwe n the lines A,, B, and C,.

A plurality f similar line 2. F and G are provided on the sheet 10 inspaced re a ionship with respect to the side edge 1 in such a mann r asto provide. a substantially mirror image of the lines D,. E,. F, and G,and are utilized in a compiementary manner with r spect thereto as willbe hereinafter set forth.

It is to b understood that substantially any number of the fold and/ cutlines may be provided on the pattern 10, as desire and there is nointention to limit the number of those depicted herein. although. as apractical matter the particular pattern shown in the drawings provides agreat variety of possible uses for the pattern 10.

An outwardly extending tab member 20 is provided on the edge portionI6-and is preferably substantially centrally disposed thereon. A similaroutwardly extending tab member 22 is provided on the edge portion 18 andis preferably substantially centrally disposed thereon. Additional tabmembers are cut into the pattern along three sides thereof whereby thetab members may be selectively bent or folded outwardly from the planeof the sheet 10 as will be hereinafter set forth and in such spacedrelationship thereon as to provide great variety of use for the pattern10.

For example, in the particular embodiment of the invention depictedherein and as shown in FIG. 1, tabs 24, 26 and 28 are cut in the sheet10 in such a manner that the cut portions of the tabs extend in adirection toward the edge 12. The tabs 24, 26 and 28 are all interposedbetween the edge 16 and the line 0, and are preferably substantiallycentrally disposed therebetween. The tab 24 is disposed in the proximityof the line A,; the tab 26 is disposed in the proximity of the line B,;and the tab 28 is disposed in the proximity of the line C,. Similar butoppositely disposed tabs 30, 32 and 34 are cut in the sheet 10 with thetab 30 being disposed in the proximity of the line A.,,, the tab 32being disposed in the proximity of the line 8,, and the tab 34 beingdisposed in the proximity of the line C A single tab 36 is disposed insubstantial longitudinal alignment with the tab 24 and is spacedtherefrom in such a manner as to be substantially centrally disposedbetween the lines F, and 0,. A similar single tab 38 is disposed insubstan tial longitudinal alignment with the tab 30 and spaced therefromin such a manner as to be substantially centrally disposed between thelines F, and 0,.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, six sets or pairs of slots 56, 58, 60,62, 64, and 66 are interposed between the tabs and 22 and are spacedlongitudinally throughout the length of the sheet 10 in a particularlyselected manner. The first pair of slots 56 are disposed between thelines F, and E, and very close to the line 1",. The second pair of slots58 is disposed at the left-hand side of the line D,, as viewed in thedrawing and very close to the line D,. The third and fourth sets ofslots 60 and 62 are spaced from the longitudinal center of the sheet anequal distance, and are preferably spaced apart a distance complementaryto or substantially corresponding to the distance between the spacedlines D,, E,, F, and G, fora purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.The fifth set ofslots 64 are disposed at the right-hand side of the lineD, as viewed inthe drawing and very close to the line D,. The sixth pairof slots 66 is interposed between the lines E and F, and disposed veryclose to the line F In addition, six pairs of slots 68, 70, 72, 74, 76,and 78 are interposed between the edge 16 and the line G, and spacedapart in such a manner that the slots 68 are disposed between the edge12 and the line C,; the slots 70 are interposed between the lines C, andB,; the slots 72 are interposed between the lines B, and A,; the slots74 are interposed between the lines A and 8,; the slots 76 areinterposed between the lines B and C and the slots 78 are interposedbetween the line C, and the edge 14. Similarly, four sets of slots 80,82, 84 and 86 are interposed between the lines 0, and F, and are spacedin such a manner that the slots 80 are disposed between the edge 12 andthe line C,; the slots 82 are interposed between the lines C, and B,;the slots 84 are inter posed between the lines B and C and the slots 86are interposed between the line C, and the edge 14. Thus, the slots 80,82, 84, and 86 are in substantial alignment with the slots 68, 70, 76,and 78, respectively. Four additional sets of slots 88, 90, 92, and 94are interposed between the lines E, and F, and are spaced therealongwhereby the slots 88, 90, 92 and )4 are in substantial alignment withthe slots 80, 82, 84 and 86, respectively. Four sets of slots 96, 98,I00 and I02 are interposed between the lines and F,- and are spaced insubstantial alignment with the slots 88, 90, 92 and 94, respectively.Four sets of slots I04, I06, I08 and I10 are interposed between thelines F and G and are spaced in substantial alignment with the slots 96,98, I00 and I02, respectively. Six sets of slots I12, I14, I16, 118, 120and 122 are interposed between the line 0 and the edge 18 and are spacedin substantial alignment with the slots 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78,respectively,

The combination of longitudinally extending and transversely extendinglines with the tabs and slots provide a multiplicity of folding and/orcutting and locking arrangements for the pattern 10 to provide aplurality of sizes of boxes, as will be hereinafter set forth. =It is tobe understood that box bottom portions and boxtop portions may beassembled from substantially identical master patterns, with the basedimensions of the top portions being slightly larger than the basedimensions of the box bottom portions. The base dimensions of the topand bottom box portions is determined by the area surrounded by orenclosed between the lines A,, A D, and D Referring now to FIGS. 2through 4, the method of manipulation of a pattern 10 for forming oneparticular size box is illustrated as follows: The sheet 10 is initiallysevered or out along the lines C, and C from the edge portion 16 to theline 0,, thus forming two flap members 124 and 126. The edge 14 is thenbent upwardly along the line C, and the flaps 122 and 124 are bentinwardly along the line 0,. Similarly, the sheet is severed or out alongthe lines C, and C from the edge 18 to the line D thus forming twoadditional flap members 128 and 130. The side 12 is then bent upwardlyalong the line C, and the flaps 128 and are bent inwardly along the lineD The end portion 132 of the pattern 10 remaining between the flaps I24and 126 is then folded upwardly along the line 0, and the end portion134 of the pattern 10 remaining between the flaps 128 and 130 issimilarly folded upwardly along the line D The end portion 132 is thenbrought into engagement with the folded flaps 124 and 126 and the tabs28 and 34 inserted through the slots 68 and 78, respectively, as shownin FIG. 4. When the slots 68 and 78 are double slots as shown herein,the respective tab is inserted initially through the first of the slotsof the pair and then bent in a reverse direction and inserted backthrough the second slot of the pair in such a manner that the free endof the tab will be disposed in the interior of the box being formed. Inthis particular embodiment of the invention or in this particular sizebox the tab 20 is not needed and may be cut off or folded to anout-of-the-way position, if desired.

The end portion 134 is then brought into engagement with the folded landoverlapped flaps 128 and 130, as shown in FIG. 3 and folded downwardlyalong the line E which will be in substantial alignment with the upperedge of the overlapped flaps I28 and 130. The end portion 134 is foldedagain along the line F in such a manner that the overlapped flaps I28and 130 are completely covered by the end portion 134, and the unfoldedportion of the end portion 134 lays flat along the upper or exposedsurface of the sheet 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The tab 22 is now in aposition substantially in alignment with the pair of slots 62 and may beinserted therein in the manner as hereinbefore set forth, thus lockingthe end portion 134 in position. It will be readily apparent that thepattern 10 is thus formed into a box bottom (or box top) of oneparticular preselected size.

Referring to FIG. 5 through 7, a second method of folding and/or cuttingand locking of the pattern 10 is shown to provide another box size.Certain of the folding and/0r cutting lines are eliminated from theviews for purposes of clarity, and the assembly operation thereof is asfollows: The pattern 10 is initially severed along the lines B, and Bfrom the edge 16 to the line E, to form two flaps I36 and 138. The outerend of each flap I36 and 138 is cut olfalong the line 0, and the flapsI36 and I38 are folded inwardly along the line 8,. The pattern I0 isthen severed along the line B, and B, from the edge I8 to the line D, toform two flaps I40 and I42. The flaps I40 and I42 may then be foldedalong the line D-,. The side edges 12 and 14 are folded upwardly alongthe lines B, and B interposed between the cut portions thereof to formsides for the box. The end flaps 140 and 142 will be in an overlappedposition whereas the end flaps I36 and 138 are spaced apart as shown inFIG. 6. The end portion 144 interposed between the flaps 136 and 138 maybe folded upwardly along the line E, and disposed adjacent the inwardlyfolded flaps 136 and 138. The end portion 144 may be folded again alongthe G,

whereby the upper edge of the flaps 136 and 138 is surrounded by the endportion 144 and the tab 20 may be inserted through the slots 56 forlocking the end portion 144 in position. The end portion 146 of thepattern interposed between the end flaps 140 and 142 is folded upwardlyalong the line D, and disposed adjacent the overlapped flaps 140 and142. The end portion 146 is further folded along the line F whereby theupper edges of the flaps 140 and 142 are surrounded by the end portion146 and the tab 22 is inserted through the slots 64. This locks the endflap 146 in position for completing the box as shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate still another method of folding and/orcutting and locking of the pattern 10 to provide still another box size.Here again some of the folding and/or cutting lines are eliminated fromthe views shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 for purposes of clarity and theassembly operation thereof may be as follows: The pattern 10 isinitially severed along the lines A and A from the edge 16 to the lineE, to form flaps 148 and 150. These flaps may be folded along the lineE,. The sheet 10 may then be severed along lines A and A, from the edge18 to the line D to form flaps 152 and 154. Each flap 152 and 154 is cutoff or cut away along the line F and the flaps 152 and 154 may be foldedalong the line D The side 12 and 14 may be folded upwardly to form thesides of the box along the lines A and A in this position the flaps 148and 150 will be overlapped whereas the flaps 152 and 154 will be spacedapart as particularly shown in FIG. 9. The end portion 156 interposedbetween the flaps 148 and 150 may then be folded along the line E anddisposed adjacent the overlapped flaps 148 and 150 and the tabs 24 and36 may be inserted in the slots 88 and 90 and the tabs 30 and 38 may beinserted in the slots 92 and 94. The end portion I58 interposed betweenthe flaps 152 and I54 may be folded upwardly along the line D, anddisposed adjacent the flaps 152 and 154.

The end portion 158 may again be further folded along the line 6 wherebythe upper edge of the flaps 152 and l54 are completely surrounded by theend member 158. The tab 22 may then be inserted through the slots 66 forlocking the end portion 158 in place thus forming the completed boxposition shown in FIG. 10. in this particular embodiment the tab is notnecessary and may be folded downwardly to an out-of-theway position ormay be cut off as desired.

The particular arrangement of cutting and/or folding lines andcomplementary tabs and slots on the pattern 10 provide a variety ofcombinations for forming boxes of a great number of sizes. As apractical matter the particular embodiment of the invention depictedherein permits a combination of 51 possible box sizes. Thus,substantially any desired box size may be provided by maintaining asupply of the flat pattern 10 wherein one size pattern 10 provides boxtop portions, and another size pattern 10 provides bottom portions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventioncontemplates a base form, blank, or master pattern which may be foldedand/or cut and locked into a great variety of substantially rectangularshapes for providing substantially any desired size for a box, carton,or container. The master pattern is premarked or impressed with foldingand/or cutting lines and is provided with a plurality of particularlyspaced and arranged complementary tabs and slots for locking the foldedsheet into a variety of positions for forming rigid and substantialboxes or containers.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, maybe made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

lclaim:

l. A box forming pattern comprising a flat sheet of rectangularconfiguration, a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending linesimpressed on one surface ofthe sheet, a plurality of spaced transverselyextending lines impressed on said surface of the sheet and intersectingthe longitudinal lines. said sheet being selectively foldable andcuttable along said lines to form an open box portion of variable heightand length and width, a plurality of spaced tab members provided on thesheet, a plurality of spaced slots provided on the sheet for receivingthe tabs therethrough in the folded condition of the sheet for lockingthe sheet in the folded position for forming the open box wherein thetransversely extending lines comprise a first set of lines substantiallyuniformly spaced from one transverse side edge ofthe sheet, a second setof lines substantially uniformly spaced from the opposite transverseside edge to provide a mirror image of the first set of transverselines. the longitudinally extending lines comprise a first set of linessubstantially uniformly spaced from one longitudinal side edge of thesheet a second set of lines substantially uniformly spaced form theopposite longitudinal side of the sheet to provide a mirror image ofthefirst set of longitudinal lines. the tab members comprise a plurality oftab members spaced on the surface of the sheet in a substantial mirrorimage pattern. and the slots comprise a plurality of complementary pairsof slots arranged on the sheet in a substantial mirror image pattern forreceiving complementary tab members therein for locking the folded sheetin the open box position.

1. A box forming pattern comprising a flat sheet of rectangularconfiguration, a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending linesimpressed on one surface of the sheet, a plurality of spacedtransversely extending lines impressed on said surface of the sheet andintersecting the longitudinal lines, said sheet being selectivelyfoldable and cuttable along said lines to form an open box portion ofvariable height and length and width, a plurality of spaced tab membersprovided on the sheet, a plurality of spaced slots provided on the sheetfor receiving the tabs therethrough in the folded condition of the sheetfor locking the sheet in the folded position for forming the open boxwherein the transversely extending lines comprise a first set of linessubstantially uniformly spaced from one transverse side edge of thesheet, a second set of lines substantially uniformly spaced from theopposite transverse side edge to provide a mirror image of the first setof transverse lines, the longitudinally extending lines comprise a firstset of lines substantially uniformly spaced from one longitudinal sideedge of the sheet, a second set of lines substantially uniformly spacedform the opposite longitudinal side of the sheet to provide a mirrorimage of the first set of longitudinal lines, the tab members comprise aplurality of tab members spaced on the surface of the sheet in asubstantial mirror image pattern, and the slots comprise a plurality ofcomplementary pairs of slots arranged on the sheet in a substantialmirror image pattern for receiving complementary tab members therein forlocking the folded sheet in the open box position.